Dec. 15, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Three Hoosier student-athletes have been honored as Indiana's Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Month and C.H.A.M.P.S. Champ of the Month for November. Freshman wrestler Ryan LeBlanc and freshman outside hitter Jordan Haverly were honored as the Scholar-Athletes of the Month, while senior field hockey standout Meg O'Connell was named the C.H.A.M.P.S. Champ of the Month.

LeBlanc, a native of Morrisville, N.Y., is currently 14-0 while competing unattached after winning the Cleveland State Open and the Eastern Michigan Open at 165 pounds.

"Ryan has had an outstanding fall semester both academically and athletically. His competitive spirit, strong work ethic, and his ability to find the right balance between academics and athletics has allowed him to be on pace for a first-semester GPA well over a 3.0," said Michael Greene, IU academic advisor.

"We are very proud of Ryan and his being recognized as IU Scholar Athlete of the Month," said IU head coach Duane Goldman. "He has worked hard at making a successful transition from high school to college. His accomplishments on the mat and in the classroom are a testament to his own commitment, and to IU, which provides its student athletes with the resources they need be successful."

Haverly, a 6-1 outside hitter from Cherry Valley, Ill., earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors after registering 3.35 kills per set and 3.79 points per set, ranking seventh and 10th, respectively, among Big Ten leaders. She also posted a team-high 11 double-doubles on the season by recording double-digit totals in both kills and digs. Haverly tallied 446 kills during her rookie campaign, setting a new IU freshman record.

"Jordan has made an impressive start to her IU career both on and off the court," said IU Assistant Athletics Director for Academic Services Kelly Noonan. "Her professors were quick to take note of her efforts and engagement in the class material. Jordan's organization and drive to succeed academically will surely lead to continued academic achievements."

"We have worked hard over the past three years to recruit student-athletes that have goals of greatness both academically and athletically," Indiana head volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar said. "We feel very fortunate to have a freshman performing so well in both so early in her career. Jordan is extremely organized, responsible and takes a great deal of pride in her academics and I'm very proud of her efforts in representing not only herself but our program."

O'Connell, a midfielder from St. Louis, Mo., was a unanimous First-Team All-Big Ten pick after starting 20 of IU's 21 games and scoring four goals to go along with six assists for 14 points. She tallied 35 shots on the season and was also a 2009 NFHCA Senior All-Star honoree.

"Meg O'Connell, a 2009 Elite Leaders graduate, is on the Executive Board for SAAC and has been instrumental in assisting with programming for SAAC events over the last few years," said Hoosier academic advisor Amanda Fark. "She was an integral player in this year's faculty appreciation `Hoosier Athlete' event and helped make it an outstanding success. Meg not only strives to excel academically and athletically but also with service opportunities to her fellow student-athletes and community. She has displayed continued leadership and is always willing to lend a helping hand."

"Meg is an exceptional student-athlete and leader," said Indiana head field hockey coach Amy Robertson. "Her dedication to excellence has gone beyond her team and the classroom as she has been very involved in SAAC and leadership development as well as community service. It has been a privilege to coach Meg and to see someone get as involved and give back to her community and team. I am so proud of how she has represented our program."

The C.H.A.M.P.S. (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success) Champ of the Month is an outstanding student that has excelled in all of the five areas of C.H.A.M.P.S.: service, personal and career development, and academic and athletic excellence.